ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Take a fun trip around Latin America through folktales, three classic songs and two original songs. This CD features kid-tested material from Sue Young’s bilingual storytelling shows. She’s been called “a true Spanish Raffi” and “a storyteller par excellence”. Sue’s song “Listening and Talking – Hablando Y Escuchando” won 2nd place in the “Songs of Conscience for Children– Canciones de Conciencia para los Niños” songwriting competition. The stories are told mostly in English with some Spanish. Original songs are in Spanish and English. Classic songs are in Spanish with English narration.
This album is a 2007 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award Winner and received a 2008 Creative Child Seal Of Excellence.
Recommended for ages 5 and up.

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[Sue Young] knows how to entertain. Just as important, she knows how to use music to expand a child’s knowledge and interests. Like several of her previous albums, "The Legend Of The Quetzal/La Leyenda Del Quetzal" combines music and folklore from Latin America, interspersing Spanish and English words so naturally that even those with limited language skills can follow along....Young’s voice is clear and bright, and her enthusiasm invites everyone to join in singing or toe-tapping. Sue Young's talent appeals to the whole family.
-- Jeanette Larson, Books Editor, Parent:Wise Austin Magazine

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Kudos!

The vocals are thrilling. What a voice! And your telling of story of the quetzal is warm and fine.
-- Don Sanders - singer/songwriter, children's entertainer

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Dear Ms. Young,

The boys and I wanted to let you know how much we enjoy your CD "every day". We love the songs and the music so much that I have to plan extra time into our schedule so we can sit in the parking lot at school and finish whatever part we are listening to. The boys are so proud when they say "We speak English and Spanish" and the CD weaves the two languages together beautifully.

The most amazing review however comes from my husband...who almost never actively wants to listen to the "children's music" that we play when we drive my car. They other day we were listening to " The Tiger And The Armadillo" and when we got home HE was the one who would not let us get out of the car until the story was over!

Thank you again for your stories and music, they are just great on so many levels and are a bright spot in our days.

Best regards,

Wendy, Marcus and Alexander Tita

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Sue grew up in a big, music-loving family. Her mother played the piano, her father played baritone ukelele and tenor guitar, all five children played an instrument, and everyone sang. Sue started on ukelele at age 8, moved to guitar at 11, and has been singing and playing ever since. Music heard in her home while growing up included the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Stan Getz, Bach, and Rogers and Hammerstein.
The Youngs moved around, but mainly lived out west- in Seattle, Washington, Salt Lake City, Utah and in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1977-78, Sue spent a year in Quito, Ecuador studying at University of New Mexico's Centro Andino. It was a magical time full of adventure and learning. She traveled around South America and fell passionately in love with Latin American music and culture. She began performing in clubs around this time and continued after returning to the States. She worked as a solo and in a duo in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. She also sang with a trio that did folk music of North and South America, and with Govinda, a jazz-rock fusion band, where her vocal style was once compared to "Appalachian scat".
In 1985, she moved to Austin, Texas, lured by the vibrant music community and beautiful living environment. Burned out on playing bars full-time, she began a series of part-time jobs and soon wound up teaching Spanish to young children, which she continues to do today. She's become a storyteller and has been on the Texas Commission for the Arts Touring Artist Roster since 1993. She has taken her bilingual show "Cantos y Cuentos-Tales and Tunes of Latin America" to schools, museums, libraries, festivals and theatres around Texas and the United States.
Sue lives in Austin with her two beloved cats.

She knows how to music to expand a child's knowledge and interest...The Legend of the Quetzal / La Leyenda del Quetzal combines music and folklore from Latin America, interspersing Spanish and English words so naturally that even those with limited language skills can easily follow along... Young’s voice is clear and bright, and her enthusiasm invites everyone to join in singing or toe-tapping.

The Legend of the Quetzal is a wonderful mix of stories and songs. Our 5-year old is captivated by the Latin American stories, the songs get her up dancing, and she learns a little Spanish at the same time. Unlike some children's cds, this one is great listening for adults, too!

My 5 year-old twin daughters are learning to speak Spanish at their preschool. I’m always looking for opportunities to reinforce their lessons at home. This CD is one of our favorites. Sue Young charmingly weaves Spanish and English together in these beautifully told stories and delightful songs in a way that entertains and teaches at the same time. Parents will be singing along, too.